Tool for the ESD-safeguarded mounting of a detector module

ABSTRACT

A tool for the ESD-safeguarded mounting of a detector module is disclosed. The tool includes an accommodating element for accommodating at least one module plug of the detector module, in which case it is possible, when the module plug is accommodated, for an electrostatic charge on the detector module to flow away by way of an electrical connection between the module plug and an ESD-safeguarded operator actuating the tool. As such, it is not necessary to intentionally touch module-side contact-making devices of the module plug, and/or the risk of damage to the signal-processing electronics, which are to be brought into contact with the detector module, as a result of overvoltages is avoided.

The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 onGerman patent application number DE 10 2005 007 487.1 filed Feb. 17,2005, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The invention generally relates to a tool for the ESD-safeguardedmounting of a detector module.

BACKGROUND

DE 101 35 288 A1 has disclosed a detector for a computer tomograph whichincludes a plurality of adjacent detector modules. On the one hand, theindividual detector modules can be mechanically connected to a modulecarrier and, on the other hand, it is possible for electrical contact tobe made between them and a printed circuit board via a plug-inconnection.

In this case, each detector module includes a so-called module head, onwhich detector elements are arranged which are lined up to form columnsand rows. The respective module head is fixed on the module carriermechanically, for example by way of a screw connection, and is alignedin relation to an X-ray source such that a defined part of a measurementregion is sensed.

Electrical contact is made with the detector module by use of a moduleplug, which is connected to the module head via flexible conductortracks in the form of a flexible cable and is plugged on into a slot onthe printed circuit board when mounted by an operator who is safeguardedagainst electrostatic discharges, for example by an ESD-safeguardedtechnician.

In order to protect the highly sensitive signal-processing components onthe printed circuit board against overvoltage damage (ESD damage), it isnecessary for the operator to touch the contact pins located on the rearof the module plug with his fingers before the module plug is pluggedon. It is thus possible for electrostatic charges present on thedetector module to flow away via the operator. The module plug can thenbe inserted into the slot without there being the risk of damage to thesignal-processing components.

In practice, it has been shown, however, that the mounting procedure ofdetector modules, when viewed as a whole, is so complex, however, thatoften the operator forgets to intentionally touch the contact pins ofthe module plug. In this case, mounting of the detector modules isassociated with the risk of damage to the signal-processing components.

SUMMARY

One object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is tospecify an auxiliary device(s) for a detector module, with whichESD-safeguarded mounting of the detector module is ensured in a simplemanner such that the risk of damage to signal-processing electronicsassociated with the detector module is reduced.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, the toolincludes an accommodating element for the purpose of accommodating atleast one module plug of the detector module, in which case it ispossible, when the module plug is accommodated, for an electrostaticcharge on the detector module to flow away by way of an electricalconnection between the module plug and an ESD-safeguarded operatoractuating the tool.

The module plug is therefore no longer plugged onto a slot on theprinted circuit board, as has until now been conventional, by theoperator directly by hand, but by way of the tool according to at leastone embodiment of the invention, in which case, owing to the fact thatthe module plug of the detector module is accommodated in theaccommodating element of the tool, an electrical connection between themodule plug and the ESD-safeguarded operator is automatically produced.A result is that a charge on the detector module can flow away via theESD-safeguarded operator even without him intentionally touching contactpins.

It is no longer possible for the operator to forget to make electricalcontact with the module plug prior to mounting the detector module whenusing this tool, as a result of which the risk of damage tosignal-processing electronics associated with the detector module isreduced. Furthermore, the use of the tool during mounting makes oneworking step superfluous, namely the operator INTENTIONALLY touches thecontact pins of the module plug with his hands.

Electrical contact between the module plug and the tool can be producedin a particularly simple manner when the accommodating element has atool-side contact-making device provided for this purpose. The tool-sidecontact-making device is preferably mounted in a resilient manner suchthat, when the module plug is accommodated, the tool-side contact-makingdevice bears against a module-side contact-making device of the moduleplug.

In one advantageous variant of at least one embodiment of the invention,the tool-side contact-making device is in the form of a metal part, andthe module-side contact-making device is at least in the form of a rearcontact pin of the module plug. Contact is thus made with the moduleplug using simple devices via the rear contact pins, which are providedin any case on a module plug. No complex modifications of the detectormodule are therefore necessary when using the tool for mountingpurposes.

The charges transferred to the tool when the module plug is accommodatedcan be passed on in a particularly simple manner within the tool to theESD-safeguarded operator when the accommodating element has a conductivematerial. A suitable conductive material is, for example, metal or aconductive plastic.

The tool advantageously includes an operating element for the purpose ofalternately displacing the accommodating element between an initialposition accommodating the module plug and a holding position securingthe module plug. The alternate displacement between an initial positionand a holding position can take place, for example, by way of manualactuation of the operating element and makes it possible for a moduleplug to be plugged on rapidly.

The charges of the detector module which are transferred to theaccommodating element can be dissipated in a particularly simple mannervia the ESD-safeguarded operator when the operating element, as is thecase with the accommodating element in one example embodiment, has aconductive material. A likewise suitable conductive material isadvantageously, for example, a metal or a conductive plastic.

In accordance with one example refinement of at least one embodiment ofthe invention, the accommodating element includes a first accommodatingpart and a second accommodating part, and the operating element includesa first operating part and a second operating part, the firstaccommodating part being mechanically connected to the first operatingpart, and the second accommodating part being mechanically connected tothe second operating part, and the two operating parts being mounted ina resilient manner with respect to one another via a coupling elementsuch that the accommodating element can be brought from the initialposition accommodating the module plug into a holding position securingthe module plug by the two operating parts being pushed together.

A tool having such a design can be produced in a simple manner andtypically includes two narrow, elongate operating parts of equal lengthwhich are gripped at the rear end by one of the operator's hands and areheld together in the center by way of a coupling element in the form ofa resiliently mounted hinge, in a similar manner to the functionalprinciple of a clothespin. The accommodating elements are located at thefront end.

A first accommodating pin may be associated with the first accommodatingpart, and a second accommodating pin is associated with the secondaccommodating part, it being possible for the two accommodating pins, inthe initial position, to be moved into or out of two holes associatedwith the module plug. Further, the two accommodating pins in the holdingposition may be pushed in the transverse direction of the accommodatingpins against side walls of the holes in the module plug. In order toaccommodate and hold the module plug, the holes which are provided inthe module plug in any case can thus be used for fixing the plug to theprinted circuit board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the invention and further advantageousrefinements of the invention in accordance with the dependent claims areillustrated in the following schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a view, which is partially perspective and partially in theform of a block diagram, of a computer tomograph having a detector whichcomprises a plurality of detector modules which can be brought intocontact with a printed circuit board,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of the detector shown inFIG. 1 having two adjacent detector modules, a module plug of onedetector module as yet not having been plugged onto a corresponding slotof a printed circuit board, and

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a tool according to at least one embodimentof the invention for making ESD-safeguarded contact between the detectormodule shown in FIG. 2 and the printed circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a view, which is partially in the form of a block diagramand partially perspective, of a computer tomograph. A mounting apparatusfor the computer tomograph comprises a movable tabletop 28, by which anobject to be investigated, for example a patient, can be moved throughan opening in the housing of the computer tomograph into a measurementregion of a recording system associated with the computer tomograph. Theobject and the measurement region of the recording system can thus bedisplaced with respect to one another.

The recording system has an X-ray source 27, for example an X-ray tube,and a detector 1, which is arranged opposite said X-ray source 27 and isformed from a plurality of detector modules 2, which are arrangedadjacent in the p direction shown and of which one is provided with areference symbol. Each detector module 2 includes a plurality ofdetector elements 24 lined up to form columns and rows. For reasons ofclarity, likewise only one of these detector elements 24 is providedwith a reference symbol in FIG. 1.

The X-ray source 27 produces a fan-shaped X-ray bundle. The X-ray bundlepasses through the object positioned in the measurement region of therecording system and impinges on the detector elements 24 of thedetector. The detector elements 24 of the respective detector module 2each produce an output signal which is dependent on the attenuation ofthe X-ray radiation passing through the measurement region.

The X-ray radiation is converted into measured values, for example, bymeans of a photodiode which is optically coupled to a scintillator or byway of a directly converting semiconductor. A set of output signals fromall of the detector modules of the detector 1 which are recorded for aspecific position of the X-ray source 27 in relation to the object isreferred to as “projection”.

A gantry (not illustrated), on which the recording system is arranged,is located within the computer tomograph. The gantry can be rotatedabout the system axis 29 of the computer tomograph by means of a driveunit (not illustrated) at a high rotational speed. A large number ofprojections can thus be made from various projection directions of theobject.

Owing to a rotation of the gantry at the same time as a continuousadvancing movement of the object in the direction of the system axis 29,in particular an investigation region of the object can be sampled whichis greater than the measurement region formed by the recording system.The output signals, which are obtained from various projectiondirections during helical sampling 10, of the object can be calculatedby means of a computation unit 25 so as to form tomograms or volumetricimages and can be represented visually on a display unit 26 of anoperator.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of the detector 1 shown inFIG. 1 having two adjacent detector modules, in which case electricalcontact is made between only one of the two detector modules and aprinted circuit board, and only this detector module is provided with areference symbol.

The detector module 2 includes a module head 20, on which detectorelements, which are not visible here and are lined up to form columnsand rows, are arranged for the purpose of producing the output signals.The respective module head 20 of a detector module 2 is heldmechanically on a module carrier 23 and is aligned with respect to theX-ray source 27 shown in FIG. 1 such that a defined part of themeasurement region is sensed by the respective detector module 2.

The electrical contact between the respective detector module 2 and aprinted circuit board 22 can be produced by way of a module plug 4,which is connected to the module head 20 via flexible conductor tracks21 in the form of a flexible cable. When the detector module 2 ismounted, the module plug 4 is plugged on into a slot 5 on the printedcircuit board 22, with the result that the output signals produced bythe detector elements can be transmitted to the printed circuit board 22via the electrical connection produced. Initial preprocessing of theoutput signals takes place there by means of a highly sensitivesignal-processing component 31 provided for the detector module 2.

In order to protect the highly sensitive signal-processing components 31against overvoltage damage owing to electrostatic charges present on thedetector module 2, it is necessary to ensure that any charges which maybe present can flow away before the module plug 4 is plugged onto theslot 5 of the printed circuit board 22.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a tool according to at least one embodimentof the invention for a detector 1, which makes ESD-safeguarded mountingof the detector module 2 possible.

The tool essentially includes an accommodating element 3 for the purposeof accommodating the module plug 4, in which case, when the module plug4 is accommodated, an electrical connection is produced between themodule plug 4 and an ESD-safeguarded operator actuating the tool suchthat the electrostatic charges which may be present on the detectormodule 2 can flow away.

In this case, a resiliently mounted tool-side contact-making device 7 isassociated with the accommodating element 3 and is pressed against amodule-side contact-making means 9 when the module plug 4 isaccommodated. An electrical connection is thus automatically producedbetween the accommodating element 3 of the tool and the module plug 4 ofthe detector module 2. It is thus no longer necessary for the operatorto specially touch the module plug 2 or the module-side contact-makingdevice 9.

The tool-side contact-making device 7 is in the simplest case a metalpart, which is mechanically connected to the accommodating element 3 viaa resilient spring 8. The contact pins protruding on the rear of themodule plug 4 are provided as module-side contact-making device 9, withthe result that it is not necessary for the module plug 4 to beredesigned in a complex manner when the tool according to the inventionis used. However, other types of tool-side contact-making device 7 or 9are of course also conceivable. The critical factor is merely that, whenthe module plug 4 is accommodated in the accommodating element 3 of thetool, electrical contact is automatically made with the detector module2 without the user intentionally needing to carry out a working step.

The accommodating element 3 can be operated by one hand of the operatorvia an operating element 6 and can be displaced alternately between aninitial position accommodating the module plug 4 and a holding positionsecuring the module plug 4. The accommodating element 3 includes, indetail, a first accommodating part 11, which has the tool-sidecontact-making means 7, and a second accommodating part 12, and theoperating element 6 has a first, elongate operating part 13 and a secondelongate operating part 14.

The first accommodating part 11 is mechanically connected to the firstoperating part 13, and the second accommodating part 12 is mechanicallyconnected to the second operating part 14. The two operating parts 13,14 are mounted in a resilient manner with respect to one another via acoupling element 15 such that the two accommodating parts 11, 12 areseparated from one another by the operator's hand pushing the twooperating parts 13, 14 together at the rear end. The accommodatingelement 11, 12 can thus be displaced from the initial positionaccommodating the module plug 4 into a holding position securing themodule plug 4.

The degree to which the two accommodating parts 11, 12 can be pushedaway from one another can be prescribed by way of a displacement unit30. The displacement unit 30 is in this case formed from a guide rail 32associated with the first accommodating part 11 and a guide pin 33associated with the second accommodating part 12, the guide pin 33 beingmounted in the guide rail 32.

In order to accommodate the module plug 4 in a simple manner, a firstaccommodating pin 16 is also provided on the first accommodating part11, and a second accommodating pin 17 is provided on the secondaccommodating part 12. In the initial position of the tool, which isalways automatically assumed by a resetting spring in the couplingelement 15 when the operating element 6 is not pushed together by theoperator, the two accommodating pins 16, 17 can be inserted into twoholes 18, 19 associated with the module plug 4. When the accommodatingpins 16, 17 are inserted into the holes 18, 19 in the module plug 4, atthe same time the tool-side contact making device 7 of the tool ispressed against the module-side contact-making device 9, in this case inthe form of the rear contact pins of the module plug 4, as a result ofwhich electrical contact is produced between the module plug 4 and theaccommodating element 3.

Both the accommodating element 3 and the operating element 6 are madefrom a conductive material, for example from a metal. When the moduleplug 4 is accommodated in the accommodating element 3 of the tool, anyelectrostatic charges present on the detector module 2 are thusdissipated via the ESD-safeguarded operator. When the two operatingparts 13, 14 of the operating element 6 are pushed together, the twoaccommodating parts 11, 12 are separated from one another such that theguide pins 16, 17 of the accommodating element 3 are pressed against thewalls of the holes 18, 19 of the module plug 4.

In the pushed-together state of the operating element 6, the tool is inthe holding position, in which the module plug 4 of the detector module2 is held mechanically and detachably by the tool. In the holdingposition of the tool, the operator can plug the module plug 4 onto thecorresponding slot 5 of the printed circuit board 22 without there beingthe risk of overvoltage damage to the signal-processing components 31.Once the module plug 4 has been plugged on, the mechanical connectionbetween the module plug 4 and the tool is detached again by theoperating elements 13, 14 held by the hand being released. The toolassumes its initial position such that the accommodating pins 16, 17 canbe guided out of the holes 18, 19 in the module plug 4 without anyresistance.

The use of the tool according to at least one embodiment of theinvention for a detector for ESD-safeguarded mounting of a detectormodule is not only restricted to detector modules which are formed froma module head and a module plug which is separate from the module head.It is also possible, of course, for electrical contact to be made withdetector modules having a detector frame, in the case of which themodule plug is directly associated with the module head. In this case,the accommodating element would expediently be used for accommodatingthe entire detector module.

Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, andall such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art areintended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A tool for the ESD-safeguarded mounting of a detector module,comprising: an accommodating element for accommodating at least onemodule plug of the detector module, wherein it is possible, when themodule plug is accommodated, for an electrostatic charge on the detectormodule to flow away by way of an electrical connection between themodule plug and an ESD-safeguarded operator actuating the tool.
 2. Thetool as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tool-sidecontact-making device associated with the accommodating element.
 3. Thetool as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tool-side contact-making deviceis mounted in a resilient manner such that, when the module plug isaccommodated, the tool-side contact-making device bears against amodule-side contact-making device of the module plug.
 4. The tool asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the tool-side contact-making device is ametal part, and the module-side contact-making device is at least onerear contact pin of the module plug.
 5. The tool as claimed in claim 1,wherein the accommodating element includes a conductive material.
 6. Thetool as claimed in claim 5, wherein the conductive material of theaccommodating element is a metal.
 7. The tool as claimed in claim 1,further comprising an operating element for alternately displacing theaccommodating element between an initial position accommodating themodule plug and a holding position securing the module plug.
 8. The toolas claimed in claim 7, wherein the operating element includes aconductive material.
 9. The tool as claimed in claim 8, wherein theconductive material of the operating element is a metal.
 10. The tool asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the accommodating element includes a firstaccommodating part and a second accommodating part, and the operatingelement includes a first operating part and a second operating part, thefirst accommodating part being mechanically connected to the firstoperating part, and the second accommodating part being mechanicallyconnected to the second operating part, and the two operating partsbeing mounted in a resilient manner with respect to one another via acoupling element such that the accommodating element is brought from theinitial position accommodating the module plug into a holding positionsecuring the module plug by the two operating parts being pushedtogether.
 11. The tool as claimed in claim 10, wherein a firstaccommodating pin is associated with the first accommodating part, and asecond accommodating pin is associated with the second accommodatingpart, the two accommodating pins, the initial position, being movableinto or out of two holes associated with the module plug, and the twoaccommodating pins in the holding position being pushed in thetransverse direction of the accommodating pins against side walls of theholes in the module plug.
 12. A tool for the ESD-safeguarded mounting ofa detector module, comprising: an accommodating element to accommodateat least one module plug of the detector module, wherein when the moduleplug is accommodated, an electrical connection between the module plugand an ESD-safeguarded operator actuating the tool permits anelectrostatic charge on the detector module to flow away.
 13. The toolas claimed in claim 12, further comprising a tool-side contact-makingdevice associated with the accommodating element.
 14. The tool asclaimed in claim 13, wherein the tool-side contact-making device ismounted in a resilient manner such that, when the module plug isaccommodated, the tool-side contact-making device bears against amodule-side contact-making device of the module plug.
 15. The tool asclaimed in claim 13, wherein the tool-side contact-making device is ametal part, and the module-side contact-making device is at least onerear contact pin of the module plug.
 16. The tool as claimed in claim12, wherein the accommodating element includes a conductive material.17. The tool as claimed in claim 16, wherein the conductive material ofthe accommodating element is a metal.
 18. The tool as claimed in claim12, further comprising an operating element for alternately displacingthe accommodating element between an initial position accommodating themodule plug and a holding position securing the module plug.
 19. Thetool as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tool-side contact-making deviceis a metal part, and the module-side contact-making device is at leastone rear contact pin of the module plug.